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Dining at the festive township table
Eating out in Soweto
Live entertainment at Sakhumzi's restaurant
© Darling Lama Productions
Did you know?
Sakhumzi restaurant is located on Vilakazi Street - the only street in the world that was once home to 2 Nobel Peace prize winners.
Eating out in Soweto offers an authentic dining experience and first-timers to the township might like to ease themselves into the social scene with a visit to Wandies Place in Dube. This tavern-style eatery was the first township restaurant to attract foreign visitors and it is now not so much a local hot spot as a tour bus destination. Despite its limitations, service is super-friendly and there is a very good selection of South African culinary classics such as ting (fermented sorghum) and umleqwa chicken stews.
In Soweto, restaurants include a wonderful mix of taverns, shebeens, roadside eateries and butcheries. If you win a match why not celebrate at Panyaza's Butchery chisa nyama (barbeque) in Rockville. Not only do they serve the best steaks in town, but they are also directly opposite the legendary Rock nightclub which has a magnificent roof deck making it the best sundowner spot in Soweto. Just be warned, things can get a bit raucous.
For a more sedate sit-down celebration, try the restaurant at the Kliptown Holiday Inn where stylish modern reinterpretations of classic Soweto cuisine are the name of the game. The walls of the hotel are lined with mosaic renditions of Nelson Mandela and iconic Alf Khumalo photographs. There is home-made ginger beer, succulent oxtail with herbed dombolo dumplings, morogo wild (spinach), and the best chakalaka relish imaginable. On Sundays there is an eat-as-much-as-you-like barbeque on the front porch accompanied by live jazz.
Another great spot is Sakhumzi's in the famous Vilakazi Street. If your team does really well and the Soweto celebrations last all night it is good to know that Nambitha restaurant in Orlando West does a gargantuan mixed grill breakfast.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Soweto Tourism Information
Tel: +27 (0) 11 375 5555
Email: joburgconnect@joburg.org.za
Restaurants and Eateries.
- Wandies Place: 618 Makhalamele Street, Dube, Soweto
Tel: +27 (0)11 982 2796 - Panyaza's Butchery: 8891 Old Potchestroom Road, Soweto
Tel: +27 (0)82 731 9929 - Nambitha: 6877 Vilakazi Street, Orlando West, Soweto
Tel: +27 (0)11 936 9128
Email: khulani@nambitharestaurant.co.za - Kliptown Holiday Inn: Walter Sisulu Square, Kliptown, Soweto
Tel: +27 (0)11-527 7300
Email: reservations@sowetohotel.co.za
How to get here
Head along the N1 North highway from Johannesburg (going past Southgate Mall), take the Ben Naude Drive turn off and follow the signs. There are also regular bus tours into Soweto.
Around the area
Vilakazi Street, the Hector Pieterson Museum, the Orlando Cooling Towers, Nelson Mandela House Museum, Regina Mundi Church and the Maponya Mall
Get around
Regular tours depart from Sandton and Rosebank's major hotels to Soweto.
What will it cost
Soweto's restaurants are well-priced, a meal at Wandies will set you back approx R150.
Length of stay
Spend a night or 2 in Soweto and get to know a bit more about this fascinating township.
Where to stay
There are numerous gues thouses and bed and breakfasts in Soweto as well as the Holiday Inn in Kliptown. Or you could stay at the award-winning Mama Lolo’s guest house.
What to eat
Kasi food like chakalaka, chicken feet, mogudu and pap.
Best buys
Maponya Mall is a great place to buy just about anything – under 1 roof.